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Bridget Cove, City and Borough of Juneau - 35 Mile ORV, Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification
PN Reference Number: POA-2023-00179 v1.0
Waterway: Bridget Cove 

Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into navigable waters, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 (PL95-217), also must apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws.
 
Notice is hereby given that a request for a CWA §401 Water Quality Certification of a Department of the Army Permit application, Corps of Engineers’ PN Reference Number indicated above has been received for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOUS), including wetlands, as described below, and shown on the project figures/drawings. The public notice and related project figures/drawings are accessible from the DEC website at https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.

To comment on the project or request for a public hearing with respect to water quality, submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com?id=BWkK8Aimd on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant:  
City and Borough of Juneau, Michele Elfers, 155 S Seward Street Juneau, AK 99801; 907-364-2390; Michele.Elfers@juneau.gov.

Project Name: 
35 Mile ORV

Location: 
The proposed activity is located within Section 25 and 36, T. 37 S, R. 63 E; Copper River Meridian; in Juneau, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 58.63263, -134.93738. With potential discharge location of a sediment from stormwater at -136.8555, 58.6239. 

Purpose: 
The applicant’s stated purpose is to develop off road vehicle (ORV) recreation opportunities to help foster a sense of community and create job opportunities in an underserved sector of the outdoor recreation community as well as provide an economic benefit.   The site will be developed for recreation of off-road vehicle users. The City and Borough of Juneau is interested in creating and managing a riding park that is purpose built for riding that is safe, durable, and sustainable so that motorized vehicle use in town can be directed to this location.

Project Description: 
The City and Borough of Juneau is proposing to develop an off-road vehicle riding park. The development will include an entry gate, parking lot, information and picnic area and portable sanitary units.  

The applicant proposes to discharge a total of 5,365 cubic yards of fill material into 1.25-acres of wetlands for the construction of the ORV park. The proposed project would include approximately five miles of riding trails, a parking and entry area, a mud pit feature, and a cross country riding area. 

Up to 4,546 cubic yards of shot rock, geotextile, and logs would be discharged into 1.07-acre of wetlands to construct the trails. Trails would be eight feet wide with occasional wider turnout areas. Turnout areas would be in upland areas only. Where conditions permit, a corduroy building technique would be employed, utilizing trees cleared from the site as a base. The trail would clear-span one stream.

Up to 438 cubic yards of shot rock borrow, clay, mud, and logs would be discharged into 0.12-acre of wetlands to construct a 110-foot by 50-foot mud pit with a sediment trap. The mud pit would consist of two mud bogs and entry and exit trails, which would be constructed utilizing a clay liner, 12-inches of shot rock, and saturated, non-organic mud. A sediment trap on the downhill side would be constructed as a detention area with a 6-inch shot rock base to collect and settle sediment.

Up to 381 cubic yards of shot rock and geotextile would be discharged into 0.05-acre of wetlands to construct a 1.5-acre parking area at the entrance to the site. The parking lot would consist of a gravel lot with 4-foot of rock fill in the wetland. The 5,000 square foot cross country riding area would be in a previously logged area at the north end of the site. Trails would not be constructed, and fill would not be added in this area.  

Applicant Proposed Mitigation: 
The applicant proposes the following mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to waters of the United States from activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material.

a. Avoidance: A Geographic Information System (GIS) was created to analyze streams, wetlands, and topography to create trail layouts to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and water resources. While in the field with the initial layouts, trail planners and wetland experts relocated initial trail layouts when feasible to minimize trail construction in wetlands or near creeks found on-site. Two proposed trail segments were removed from consideration because their routes went through extensive wetland systems or would impact a stream. Additionally, the bridge was located so that the abutments would be placed uplands.
b. Minimization: Widened turnouts for vehicles would be in uplands wherever possible. During trail construction, edges of trails would be revegetated with moss and vegetated mats found onsite to stabilize disturbed areas and prevent erosion and sedimentation. Crossings over drainages and creeks would be hardened with culverts and rocks to stabilize the crossings and prevent vehicles from eroding the creek. Check dams and filter strips would be used in drainage areas to collect sediment and prevent downstream sedimentation. The mud pit would be constructed with a sediment trap on the downhill side.
c. Compensatory Mitigation: Compensatory mitigation is not proposed for this project.

After reviewing the application, the Department may certify there is reasonable assurance the activity, and any discharge that might result, will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. The Department also may deny or waive certification.
The permit application and associated documents are available for review. For inquires or to request copies of the documents, contact dec-401cert@alaska.gov, or call 907-269-6285. 

Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice
The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Megan Kohler at 907-269-4198 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided
 

Attachments, History, Details

Attachments

None

Revision History

Created 6/2/2023 8:25:40 AM by jrschlosser
Modified 6/2/2023 8:26:53 AM by jrschlosser

Details

Department: Environmental Conservation
Category: Public Notices
Sub-Category:
Location(s): Statewide
Project/Regulation #:
 
Publish Date: 6/2/2023
Archive Date: 6/18/2023
 
Events/Deadlines: